How to get a pay rise

It's transfer deadline day. Every self-respecting football fan is glued to their monitors, poring over more stats and numbers than your average computer programmer as teams buy, sell and haggle rising stars for disgusting amounts of money. At the time of writing, up-and-comer Alex Teixeira is torn between Liverpool and Chelsea, dealing with a buyout clause in his existing contract of £53.2 million.

With all this money being thrown around the sporting world, surely there's enough to go around? You may not be getting the lion's share right now, but MH’s employment experts are on hand to help. We've sifted through the guff and the techniques used by the Premier League's top brass that will secure you the salary you’ve always wanted at your own job.

1. Do your research

First things first. Are you actually worth the money you want? Demanding a higher wage when those at other companies are grinding out long hours on less cash is a one-way ticket to extra admin. Consult job ads and recruiters to find out the pay range for your job and decide on a benchmark. If you can prove there are greener pastures on offer managers will be quick to butter you up. "Remember that even in a down market it’s still probably more expensive for your employer to replace you than to give you a small pay rise," says John Lees, careers expert and author of How to Get a Job You'll Love.

2. Present the proof

Just because you slump down in front of the TV each night comforted by the knowledge of another sterling daily performance, that doesn't mean your boss is monitoring every move. If you're working all hours, increasing profits and averting disasters, prove it. "Reminders of your worth need to be rooted in evidence," says Corinne Mills, managing director of Personal Career Management. "Identify which targets you have exceeded and which problems you have solved – you need evidence that is quantitative to make your case" If a colleague has already jumped ship and you're picking up the slack, lead with that.

3. Time it to perfection

Making sure your manager has your undivided attention – and, most importantly, is in a good mood – is key. Coming second to a ringing phone or pushy secretary is a surefire way to get sidelined. "If you bring it up in a weekly meeting you can get preoccupied with day to day issues," says Mills. "Avoid mentioning it as an aside; you want the conversation to be focused and deliberate." We suggest striking while the iron is hot. If you've done something particularly impressive pick it up and run with it. There needs to be a catalyst to prompt the discussion.

4. Dress to impress

"Don’t negotiate a pay rise in an old suit," says Lees. The old adage of dressing for the job you want and not the one you have is especially true when you start asking difficult questions. Creating the right impression is imperative and upgrading your attire shows you’re serious. Bosses need to feel confident they are making an investment in the correct person – someone who can be an ambassador for their company.

5. Make your pitch

Your opening needs to be about your contribution, not about money. Managers get defensive when it comes to pay issues. "No matter how carefully you make your case, what they will hear is, ‘I’m unhappy’," says Lees. "Be careful to ensure you communicate how much you enjoy the job, particularly those parts where you have extended your remit." Also, keep an ace up your sleeve in case of rejection: mention a target that could improve your chances in the future; your aim is to turn things into a negotiation and not a simple 'no'.

6. Follow it up

You're a luckier man than most if you can walk into a meeting and come out a few grand richer 15 minutes later. Don't let the inevitable umm-ing and ahh-ing make you lose the initiative. "Follow up the meeting with an email the same afternoon," says Mills. "Make sure there is a paper trail because if nothing happens you have an exact date to refer to, which makes it easy to stay on top of."

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